Adjustable frame for supporting or mounting flat pieces or objects



April 7, 1953 M. R. ANGUS 'ET AL 2, 33,653 ADJUSTABLE FRAMEFOR-SUPPORTING OR MOUNTING FLAT PIECES OR OBJECTS Filed June 6, 1951 2SHEETS-SHEET l M. R. ANGUS ET AL April 7, 1953 ADJUSTABLE FRAME FORSUPPORTING OR MOUNTING FLAT PIECES OR OBJECTS 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 FiledJune 6, 1951 luv vale Patented Apr. 7, 1953 ADJUSTABLE FRAME FORSUPPORTING OR MOUNTING FLAT PIECES OR OBJECTS Max Rupert Angus and AlanErnest Brinkman,

North Hobart,

Tasmania,

Australia; said Brinkman assignor to said Angus Application June 6,1951, Serial No. 230,136 In Australia June 20, 1950 13 Claims.

This invention relates to an adjustable frame for supporting or mountingfiat pieces or objects, which has been devised more particularly thoughnot exclusively to hold or contain pictures, photographs, paintings, orthe like.

Generally, such flat objects or artistic productions are of rectangularform or shape and are mounted in open or marginal frames which border orextend around the edges or perimeters and may or may not be providedwith glazing sheets or panels.

Such marginal or bordering frames are relatively expensive and difficultto produce, and in accordance with customary practice each frame isconstructed to conform with the dimensions of the particular picture tobe fitted therein. Moreover, each frame is constructed as a rigidnon-extensible or non-contractible structure, which besides fitting theparticular picture may accommodate pictures of somewhat less dimensionsbut only to a limited extent, and cannot be extended to fit pictures ofgreater size.

An object of the present invention is to provide an open marginal framefor the purpose above specified, which will be simple in construction,strong and durable in use, attractive in appearance, adapted to bereadily adjusted to accommodate a range of variously sized pictures orthe like, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable marginalframe for pictures and the like having separate corner pieces andseparate side and end members engageable with and movable relatively tothe corner pieces to assemble and vary the size of the frame, and havingwedging means for retaining the frame assembled and the corner piecesand members in adjusted positions.

A further object is to provide an adjustable frame having each cornerpiece comprised of two integral sections or limbs disposed at rightangles and shaped internally so as to be complementary to the externalsurface or surface portions of the side and end members which slidablyengage and fit within the integral limbs or sections.

Another object is to provide an adjustable frame in which the integralsections or limbs of the corner pieces and the side and end members areall of channel section, the members being sufficiently reduced insectional size so as to fit neatly within the integral sections or limbsof the corner pieces, and the width of the members being sufficient toaccommodate the marginal edges of a picture, a backing sheet and/or aglass panel if required.

ter assembled after adjustment, such means comprising a multiple numberof wedges insertible between the picture and the flanges of the channelmembers and having locking means complementary to and engageable withlocking elements on the flanges.

Other aims and objects and additional features of the invention willappear in the course of the description of the illustrative embodimentsthereof depicted in the accompanying drawings.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view partly in section of an adjustable pictureframe assembled of detachable rails and corner pieces.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view on a larger scale of a corner piece andportion of a rail (shown by broken lines) of a somewhat modifiedadjustable picture frame.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3 of an adjustable picture framesomewhat modified in detail.

Fig. 5 is a perspective detail partly in section, showing a suspensionclip attached to a frame rail for connection of a supporting cord orwire.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the rear face of a modifiedadjustable picture frame.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in perspective of thesuspension means for a supporting cord or wire shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective fragmentary sectional detail of Fig. 6illustrating the locking wedge in the clamping position when relativelythick glass and backing sheets are used inthe adjustable frame.

Fig. 9 is an end elevation of Fig. 8, showing the locking wedge in theclamping position when relatively thin sheets are inserted in the frame.

Fig. 10 is an elevation partly in section showing portion of anadjustable picture frame supported in inclined position by an angularlyformed mounting stand integral with a locking wedge.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing portion of apicture frame supported in inclined position by a separate mounting andlocking wedge.

Referring to these drawings in more detail and in the first instancemore particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral designates generally arectangular picture frame, having side rails 2, end rails 3, and cornerpieces 4, each of which comprises a separate member or unit.

Each corner piece 4 comprises two integral sections or limbs which asshown are similar but may be of different length or design if requiredor preferred.

The integral sections or limbs 5 of the corner pieces 4 are disposed atright angles and shaped internally so as to be complementary to theexternal surface or surface portions of the side and end rails 2 and 3,which slidably engage and fit within the integral sections 01 limbs, seeFig. 2,

As shown in Fig. 1, the side and end rails 2 and 3 are of plain channelsection and the corner sections 5 are also of channel section andappropriate dimensions to neatly accommodate the,

ends of the side and end rails, the opposite flanges 8 and I whichneatly fit between the inner and tions 5. The bases or webs of thechannel cor.-

ner sections and the channel rails comprise the external edge orperimeter of the frame from which the flanges E, l, 8 and 9 extendinwardly.

In'the space between the flanges 6 and I of the end and side rails, themarginal edges of a backing sheet iii, a glass sheet H and of a picture,(not shown) between said sheets are accommodated, and wedges I:inserted between the flanges l and the backing sheet if] secure thesheets and retain the side and end rails and the corner pieces 4 inassembled relation to comprise the picture frame, the flanges e and 1being expanded into tight engagement with the flanges 8 and 9 as thewedges are forcibly inserted.

The outer side of the flanges 9 of the corner pieces 4 may be ornamentedas shown or in any other suitable or preferred manner, and the outerflanges 6 of the side and end rails may also be suitably ornamented ordecorated if desired.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the flanges 8 of the corner sections 5are substantially flat. and extending along the inner edges of theformer for required distances are outstanding lips or lugs 13. Theornamented flanges 9 of the corner sections are of somewhat curved shapeor formation as shown.

The side and end rails 2 and 3 are shaped to fit within the modifiedcorner section 5, and the inner flanges l of the rails are provided withlongitudinally extending shoulders M which engage the outstanding lipsl3.

It will be evident that the rails when fitted within the complementarilyformed sections 5 will be firmly and rigidly secured to the cornerpieces to retain the frame assembled upon forcible insertion of thewedges as above described.

Formed along the inner sides of; the flanges G of therails arelongitudinal ribs it which comprise seatings against which the edges ofthe sheets l0 and H and of a picture therebetween contact. or abut toposition said sheets and picture properly within the frame.

The flanges 6 and ribs together form recesses or rabbets IE along therails in which the edges of the sheets i6 and ii and the picture areaccommodated, and in order to clamp the sheets and picture firmly inposition and retain the frame assembled there are provided lockingwedges, H which are inserted between the backing sheets Hi and the endsof inward extensions I8 of the rail flanges l.

Each locking wedge 11 is formed with a flat face [9 which seats upon thebacking sheet H3, and with a side inclined relatively to the face 18 andformed with a series of teeth 2!.

The inner edge of each flange extension I8 is formed with a longitudinalenlargement or bead 22, which is shaped to comprise a tooth or detent 23adapted to engage the teeth 2| of the locking wedge H.

It will be understood that upon application of pressure the lockingwedge may be thrust between the backing sheet Ii; and the detent 23, andthat the extension 18 will resiliently yield to permit the detent topass over the teeth 2| until a required clamping grip of the backing andglass sheets is attained, whereupon engagement of the detent with theappropriate tooth will retain the wedge in the locking position.

Referring now to Fig. 4, it will be observed that in they sectionB ofthe corner piece 4, both flangesS and 9 are of curved formation and thattherail is shaped to conform with the inner surface of the cornersection 5.

The rail, however, has a solid body portion 24 which is formed with arecess 25 to accommodate the edges of the backing and glass sheets l0and H and with an inward extension I801. and a flange 6a, the formerhaving a detent 23 and the latter an abutment or seating against whichthe sheets if and H are pressed by a stepped wedge l'i as abovedescribed.

Referring to Figs. 6 to 9, the adjustable frame is substantially similarto the frame previously described herein with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3and 4, but the locking wedges Ila are of sufficient length to extendalong the side and end rails 2 and 3 as well as to extend into thesections 5 of the corner pieces 4.

In this frame the outer flanges of the rails may be of curved shape andthe sections 5 of complementary shape to receive the ends of the former,but otherwise the rails and corner section are constructed and thesheets l0 and H are clamped therein by the locking wedges Ila, as abovedescribed.

In Figs. 8 and 9 the locking wedge Ila is shown in the positionsoccupied when relatively thick and thin sheets are respectively mountedin the frame.

In order to provide means for suspending the frame when elongatedlocking wedges [7a are used, each of the latter is formed with anextension 28 having therein at spaced intervals T slots 29 separatingheaded lugs 30 any one of which may be selected for attachment of abight or loop 3! of a cord or wire 32, see particularly Fig. 7.

It will be appreciated that the T slots 29 per?- mit the bight 3! to bereadily released from one headed lug 30 and engaged with another toadjust the height of the frame when suspended on a wall or theinclination of the frame to the latter without the necessity of untyingor releasing the bight in the cord or wire.

In order that a frame constructed as above described may be mounted upona fiat surface such as a shelf or table top, at least one, butpreferably two of the locking wedges at opposite corners of the frame,may be formed with an extension 33 which extends upwardly in contactwith the backing sheet [0 and at a required height is bent as at 34 toprovide a downward extension or leg 35 appropriately inclinded' to theupward extension 33 to provide an effective support for the frame, seeFig. 10.

If a locking wedge Ila is constructed with an extension 28 as shown inFigs. 6-8 and 9 a recess 36 formed therein may be used for engagement ofa bead 31 extending transversely on the leg member 33, therebypermitting the locking wedge and the leg member to be constructed asseparat units or elements as shown by Fig. 11.

An adjustable picture frame construction as described may be assembledabout the backing and glass sheets and a picture in several ways, andconveniently a side rail may be slidably engaged at the ends with a pairof corner pieces, and the assembled rail and corner pieces applied tothe edges of one of the sides of the sheets and picture.

Thereupon a pair of end rails are engaged with the ends of the sheetsand picture and slidably inserted into the assembled corner pieces.

At this stage it will be understood that the sheets and picture arepartly mounted within the frame, the side edges being engaged by theside rail, the corners at the ends of the side rail enclosed within thecorner pieces and the end of the sheets and picture engaged by the endrail.

The remaining side rail is now slidably inserted at the end into theother pair of corner pieces and the latter are engaged with the freeends of the end rails, whereupon the side rail is thrust into engagementwith the other side edges of the sheets and picture, the corner piecesmeanwhile sliding upon the end rails thus completing the assembly of theframe.

'Upon the frame being thus assembled about the sheets and picture, thelocking wedges are inserted as described to secure the assembly andprevent displacement of the sheets and picture which is retained closelyin contact with glass sheet.

It will be understood that a locking wedge is inserted within eachsection or limb of the corner pieces when separate locking wedges areused, and the opposite ends of the wedges are inserted within the cornerpieces when elongated locking wedges as shown in Fig. 6 are employed.

It will be further understood that by relative sliding movements of therails and corner pieces, the adjustable frame may be readily enlarged ordiminished in size to accommodate a range of pictures or photographs ofdifferent dimen- SlOnS.

'By the use of a range of rails of different lengths, it will beapparent that while using the same corner pieces a range of frames ofdifferent standard sizes may be provided, each size accommodating aseries of pictures increasing in size between specified or selecteddimension limits, and each size of frame in increasing order beingadapted to accommodate a picture a size larger than the maximum sizeaccommodated within the preceding or next smaller frame.

The wedges previously described herein retain the frame assembled abouta picture in addition to clamping the latter in position, but ifrequired, as for instance in frames of large size, diagonally disposedretaining members may be positioned between and secured to oppositelydisposed corner pieces. Such diagonal members may comprise crossed wires38 engaged at the opposite ends with apertures 39 formed in the cornerpieces 4, see Fig. 6.

The corner pieces, the end rails and side rails and the wedge pieces maybe constructed of a suitable plastic by moulding. Alternatively, thecorner pieces, rails and wedges may be constructed of sheet metal bypress operations, or of other suitable material by other means ormethods.,

The adjustable picture frames above described are of rectangularconstruction but it will be evident that adjustable frames ofcirculanelliptical or oval shape may be assembled of multiple numbers ofappropriate perimetrical members movable relatively to and connectibleby junction pieces and provided with means for retaining theperimetrical members and junction pieces in adjusted positions and theframe assembled.

We claim:

1. An adjustable picture frame comprising side and end memberslongitudinally recessed at the inner sides, corner pieces open at theinner sides having interiors of complementary size and shape to slidablyaccommodate the ends of the side and end members to vary the size of theframe and forming together with said members a recess around the innerperimeter of the frame to receive the marginal edges of a pictorialarticle to be displayed in the frame, a backing sheet behind thepictorial article, a seating for the article extending around one sideof the recess, and wedges forcibly inserted between the backing sheetand the opposite side of the recess to clamp the article upon theseating and retain the frame assembled.

2. An adjustable picture frame comprising side and end memberslongitudinally recessed at the inner sides, right angular corner piecesopen at the inner sides and having interiors of complementary size andshape to slidably accommodate the ends of the side and end members tovary the size of the frame and forming together with said members arecess around the inner perimeter of the fame to receive the marginaledges of a pictorial article to be displayed in the frame, a backingsheet behind the pictorial article, a seating for the article extendingaround one side of the recess, a multiple number of wedges forciblyinserted between the backing sheet and the opposite side of the recessto clamp the article upon the seating and retain the frame assembled,and means for locking the wedges against displacement.

3. An adjustable picture frame comprising side and end members havingcontinuous longitudinal channels at the inner sides, right angularcorner pieces open at the inner sides and having interiors ofcomplementary size and shape to slidably accommodate the ends of theside and end members to vary the size of the frame and forming togetherwith said members a recess around the inner perimeter of the frame toreceive the marginal edges of a pictorial article to be displayed in theframe, a backing sheet behind the pictorial article, a seating for thearticle extending around one side of the recess, a multiple number ofwedges forcibly inserted between the backing sheet and the opposite sideof the recess to clamp the article upon the seating and retain the frameassembly, locking elements on the side and end members, andcomplementary locking elements on the wedges engageable by the lockingelements on the side and end members to secure the wedges againstdisplacement.

'4. An adjustable picture frame comprising corner pieces having limbs ofchannel section disposed at right angles, side and end members ofchannel section fitting within and slidably adjustable in the channelsection limbs to Vary the size of the frame, webs of the channel sectionlimbs and members disposed outwardly and comprising the outer perimeterof the frame, flanges of the channel section limbs and members directedinwardly and comprising together with the webs a recess around the.inner perimeter of the frame to receive the marginal edges of a pic-.torial article to be displayed in the frame, a backforcibly insertedbetween the backing sheet and the flanges at the opposite side of therecess to clamp the article upon the seating and retain the frameassembled.

5. An adjustable picture frame comprising side and end members ofchannel section having webs forming edge portions of the frame and outerand inner flanges at the front and rear of the frame, right angledcorner pieces of channel section having interiors of complementary sizeand shape to slidably accommodate the ends of the side and end membersto vary the size of the frame and forming together with said members arecess around the inner perimeter of the frame to re ceive the edges ofa pictorial article to be displayed in the frame, a backing sheet behindthe pictorial article, a seating for the pictorial article on the outerflanges of the channel section members, a multiple number of Wedgesforcibly inserted between the backing sheet and the inner flanges of thechannel section members to clamp the article upon the seating and retainthe frame assembled, and means on the inner flanges securing the wedgesagainst displacement.

6. An adjustable picture frame comprising side and end members ofchannel section having webs forming edge portions of the frame and outerand inner flanges at the front and rear of the frame, right angledcorner pieces of channel section having interiors of complementary sizeand shape to slidably accommodate the ends of the side and end membersto vary the size of the frame and forming together with said members arecess around the inner perimeter of the frame to receive the edges of apictorial article to be displayed in the frame, a backing sheet behindthe pictorial article, a seating for the pictorial article on the outerflanges of the channel section members, a multiple number of wedgesforcibly inserted between the backing sheet and the inner flanges of thechannel section members to clamp the article upon the seating, detentelements on the inner flanges, and complementary elements on the Wedgesengageable by the detent elements to secure the wedges againstdisplacement.

7. An adjustable picture frame comprising side and end members ofchannel section having webs forming edge portions of the frame and outerand inner flanges at the front and rear of the frame, right-angledcorner pieces of channel section having flanges at the inner and outersides of the frame and interiors of complementary size and shape toslidably accommodate the ends of the side and end members to vary thesize of the frame and forming together with said members a recess aroundthe inner perimeter of the frame to receive the edges of a pictorialarticle to be displayed in the frame, lips on the inner flanges of thecorner pieces, shoulders on the inner flanges of the side and endmembers engageable with the lips, a backing sheet behind the pictorialarticle, a seating for the pictorial article formed on the, outerflanges of the side and end members, a multiple number of wedgesforcibly inserted between the backing sheet and the inner flanges of theside and end members to clamp the article upon the seating and retainthe frame assembled, flat sides on the wedges engaging the backingsheet, inclined sides on the wedges engaging the inner flanges of theside and end members, ratchet teeth on the inclined sides of the wedges,and detents on said inner flanges en- 8 gaging the ratchet teeth andthereby securing the wedges against displacement.

8. An adjustable picture frame according to claim 7, wherein at leastone of the wedges is provided with an extension to support the frame inan inclined position and having a pair of angularly related sections,one section disposed in contact with the backing sheet and the othersection angularly inclined to the backing sheet to comprise a support.

9. An adjustable picture frame comprising side and end members ofchannel section having webs forming external edge portions of the frameand outer and inner flanges at the front and rear of the frame, rightangled corner pieces of channel section having outer and inner flangesat the front and rear of the frame and interiors of complementary sizeand shape to slidably accommodate the ends of the side and end membersto vary the size of the frame and forming together with said members arecess around the inner periphery of the frame to receive the marginaledges of a pictorial article to be displayed in the frame, lips on theinner flanges of the corner pieces, shoulders on the inner flanges ofthe side and end members engageable with the lips, a backing sheetbehind the pictorial article, right angled ledges formed longitudinallyin the outer flanges of the side and end members, one of the sides ofthe right angled ledges comprising together a seating for the pictorialarticle and the other sides of said ledges locating said articlesymmetrically within the frame, an elongated Wedge forcibly insertedbetween the backing sheet and the rear flanges of each side and endmember and of each corner piece to clamp the pictorial article upon theseating and retain the frame assembled, flat faces on the wedgesengaging the backing sheet, inclined faces on the wedges engaging theinner flanges of the side and end members, beads of detent formextending along and from end to end of the edges of the inner flanges ofthe side and end members, and spaced ratchet teeth extending from end toend of the inclined faces of the elongated wedges engageable by thedetent beads to lock said wedges against displacement.

10. An adjustable picture frame according to claim 9, having lateralextensions extending between the ends of the elongated wedges, slots atspaced intervals apart in the extensions, and lugs between the slots forattachment of a suspension cord.

11. An adjustable picture frame according to claim 9, having lateralextensions extending longitudinally between the ends of the elongatedwedges, a series of T-shaped slots at spaced intervals along theextensions, and a series of T- shaped lugs between said slots foradjustable connection of the ends of a suspension cord.

12. An adjustable picture frame according to claim 9, having diagonallydisposed reinforcing wires extending between and attached to diagonallyopposite upper and lower corner pieces of the frame.

13. An adjustable picture frame according to claim 9, havinglongitudinal grooves extending from end to end of the elongated wedges,and means for supporting the frame in an inclined position comprising atleast one support having a pair of angularly related limbs, one of thelimbs disposed in contact with the backing sheet and having anoutstanding bead fitting the longitudinal groove in the elongated wedgeat the lower edge of the frame, and the other limb being 9 angularlydisposed to the backing sheet at the vertex of the angle between thelimbs to com- 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Priseasuppmmg579,243 Schulze Mar. 23, 1897 1,253,847 Lynch Jan. 15, 1918 ANGUS- A 52,078,744 Tursky Apr. 27, 1937 ALA ERNES BRINKM 2,523,816 Roehrl Sept.26, 1950 2,601,734 Couzinet July 1, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Country DateREFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 10 Numberfile of this patent: 748,387

France Apr. 18, 1933

